William Pennington

William Pennington (1487-20 April 1532) was an English nobleman. Pennington was related to Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk through marriage, and he became rivals with Richard Southwell, a servant of the Boleyn family, due to the rivalry between Brandon and Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire. Pennington and Southwell engaged in a sword fight near the Palace of Westminster in London in 1532 after Pennington disparaged Anne Boleyn's honor in a verbal altercation with Southwell, and Pennington eventually sought sanctuary in a church. Southwell, insistent on avenging Anne's honor, cut Pennington in the face, leading to more fighting. The priest attempted to intervene, but Southwell ran Pennington through with his sword.